Posts Tagged ‘2014’

If you are lucky enough to have one or two of these folks in your life, it’s time for rejoicing. The genuine giver has actually thought about you and what would give you pleasure. Our culture likes to believe that everyoneis a genuine giver—if you doubt it, just re-read O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi—but maybe what really makes this kind of giving so special is that it’s the exception, not the rule. That gives us all the more reason to savor the moment. If you’re a genuine giver yourself, then all the studies above don’t apply to you and I’m willing to bet that Christmas is your favorite time of year…

2. The Status Hound

This is the costly gift as self-enhancement—a show of money or power, or perhaps both. In this case, the gift has nothing to do with the recipient but everything to do with the giver. These are the gifts for which the exchange receipt was invented, and the truth is that they aren’t emotionally painful unless the giver is a true intimate—a lover or a spouse—in which case the status gift can pack a big emotional wallop. (I’m disagreeing here with the research I’ve just cited; I personally find this kind of gift very painful.) If you’d like to see this in action, just replayThe War of the Roses, especially the Christmas scenes.

3. The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

This is the giver who likes to be thought of as a wonderful gift-giver with perfectly wrapped gifts but his or her spirit is no more genuine than the Status Hound; in the end, Christmas is all about him or her. The Wolf is likely to send a check, rather than a present, and will “re-gift” items without thinking about whether the gift actually suits the recipient. The Wolf likes gift-giving to be even-steven—especially in terms of money spent—so beware of possible posturing or pouting if he or she is disappointed. Paradoxically, the Wolf is also likely to be a discriminating giver—within the family, some members will be luckier than others since the Wolf doesn’t shy away from playing favorites, as one woman recounts: “My brother doesn’t like my husband, though he is close to my sister’s spouse and he doesn’t shy away from making it known when it comes to the holidays. But the thing is that it’s so obvious—Jim gets a golf club while my husband gets a CD or e-book—that it really doesn’t matter anymore. It’s just become par for the season… And the source of many inside jokes.”

4. The Power Player

Perhaps the worst kind of giver—the one who really knows how to manipulate the symbolic nature of the gift—these people are the likeliest to hurt or disappoint us, especially at the holidays. Because they understand how gifts can cause us pain, consciously or unconsciously, they choose gifts that do exactly that.

Here’s one woman’s story: “Everything my mother gave me for Christmas was either two sizes too small or something that would be hideously unflattering. It was her way of reminding me that I was overweight—as if I didn’t have a mirror and somehow didn’t know.” A son tells how his parents—despite everything he’d told them—gave his children wildly expensive toys and clothing which only increased the tension between parents and grandparents. “My father likes to be thought of as a great provider, and his gifts imply that I’m not. My wife and I aren’t comfortable with our kids wearing designer jeans to school and we’ve told my parents that but they don’t want to hear it. The holiday is always about him, not us.”

5. The Complainer

Yes, it’s not just that you have to appreciate the gift the Complainer gives you; you have to listen endlessly to the travails and inconveniences he or she experienced this holiday season, especially during the acquisition ofyour gift. Luckily, the Complainer is easy to spot and more of a nuisance than anything else, and one of the reasons wine is part of holiday celebrations.

With all that in mind, happy shopping and wrapping and, of course, gifting! May your holidays be bright! – Peg Streep

Celebrated every year in India on 26th January, Republic Day honors the date on which the Constitution of India came into force in 1950. The Constitution, which was passed by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949, was adopted on 26th January 1950 with a democratic government system. 26th January was selected for this purpose because it was this day in 1930 when the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress. It is one of three national holidays in the country.

Being a Punjabi, since childhood I remember we have always celebrated Lohri. Whether in a big way (that is by lighting of the fire outdoors) or just lighting a symbolic fire in the middle of the kitchen at home. My parents always made a point of teaching their children about our traditions and culture. More so because we don’t live in our own home country. Although been born and bought in Kuwait, this is home for me..

So what is Lohri?

Lohri is a very age old popular Punjabi festival, celebrated in the Indian subcontinent, particularly celebrated by Sikhs and Hindus. It falls on the same date every year Jan 13th. Lohri marks the winter solstice day, being the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It is about singing and dancing around the bonfire and going around it at least seven times. We throw shelled peanuts, til (sesame seeds), popcorn, gur (jaggery) and rorhi in the fire too.. It a lot of fun when surrounded by friends and family especially in winters, when we all can do with a bit of heat to keep us warm.

So here’s wishing every one of my origin and whoever celebrates Lohri.. A Very Happy Lit Warm Lohri.

I am so looking forward to the bonfire tonight.. (Which is the most important feature of Lohri, No Bonfire, No Lohri)

Somehow I feel I owe a thank you to all the wonderful people I have met this year, created new bonds whilst staying in the country or travelling. Got to know some good old friends better than before Annnnndddd.. Lost track of some old ones too…

It’s always towards the end of the year, I look back and see what I have achieved, things I have learnt, experiences that make me stronger, people that have made me mad.. people who adore me (like I said old friendships / new friendships), my adorable son – how time is flying and he seems to be getting bigger, smarter and cheekier with his remarks.., Places I visited, places I have yet to see.. Things I have yet to learn and stuff I would like to do.. (Skydiving being one of many on my Bucket List).. Let’s not even talk about losing weight (that I religiously start on the 1st of every month and I am done by the 2nd I guess). Anyways.. I digress…moving on..

All in all so far, it’s been a year that has gone by too quickly… So a few things I am thankful for and that might prompt you to do the same too..

Firstly thank you God for what I am and who I am

For my Parents, without whom I would not be a part of this world

For my entire family and extended family for always being there for me, even though I can be a bit of pain sometimes.

For my friends, they are my companions in life

For my not so close friends – I am doing fine thank you !

For our good health – so far no complains– can’t ask for more

For a sane mind which is able to function, think , store memories and hopefully look for solutions

Of course – For the Apple of my eyes – MY one and Only – My son.. Gives me a reason never to give up !!

For sometimes crying – to express my emotions / to value people more / to know what is right and what is wrong

For failures – so I can keep trying harder for the things that matter most to me

For Sadness so I can appreciate Happiness and thank you for Happiness so I can grow stronger from my fears.

For a new day – new morning – every day – to breath – to see the bright sun (although we never stop complaining about the heat here however I am thankful for that too)

For the skies, the clouds, the stars and the Moon that give me a reason to get out there enjoy a cup of coffee, go for a walk, drive, enjoy the breeze (depending on which time of the year) not to miss the BBQ’s.

And let us be thankful (which I am sure we all will agree) for our mobiles phones , the laptops, ipads, kindles, tablets and all that we can do on the Internet, the social networking places like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.. It’s just amazing the kind of things we take for granted..

The never ending list can go on from Technology to Entertainment to books and Blogs to Fashion and Thank God for my source of living which gives me all these wonderful things that I can call mine: home, family, love laughter, heartbreaks, challenges…

Thank you everyone for touching my life in one way or the other, and I thank you for reading this post, and letting me touch your life in a way or two.

Here’s wishing each and every one of you a Very Happy New Year – May the next year bring you more happiness and prosperity.

Find Me On

Moi

Typical Libran and a working mom of an 9yr old boy. This is my space to begin with a few random quotes, posts, pics about things and people that I capture. Currently busy juggling life and waiting to get time to indulge in my new passion - Photography